BeSEENN
Project Name: BeSEENN: Be Students Empowering and Encouraging Native Nations
Project Date: Jan. 2022- Current
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships, opportunity number DHS-23-TTP-132-00-01
Grant Date: Oct. 2024- July 2025
PI: Wendelin Hume
Project BeSEENN started in a Tribal Justice class Spring 2022. The project was advised by the PI and addressed domestic terrorism for the Department of Homeland Security national competition. By educating people about Native American cultures we aim to lessen the perpetuation of stereotypes, othering, and targeted violence. The free on-line educational module about Indigenous culture also collects data in Qualtrics about participants thoughts and planned future actions around race, to see if the module is having the intended impact and to better understand respondents’ mindsets. The feelings of isolation by many Native Americans is often referred to as feeling invisible. To help counter this, we titled our project BeSEENN: Be Students Empowering and Encouraging Native Nations.
One of our goals is that our educational modules expand understanding of Indigenous culture and promote conversations about peace and nonviolence. Our project won Third place in the DC competition, and with the support from the McCain Institute and, later, DHS until July 2025, it is still continuing.
The current module is 10 Common Misunderstandings of Native American Culture.
Completion of this module is free and voluntary, but you must be 18 years of age or older. We will ask you some questions during this module and to gauge participants current level of understanding of Indigenous culture and issues, and to inform efforts to improve understanding and lessen targeted violence as a result of not understanding the culture of others.
It will take approximately 60 minutes to complete the module and answer the questions.
During the month you complete the module (active March through July of 2026) for one of two $20 Amazon gift cards each month, for a total of 12 drawings
Hotline Resources
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National Domestic Violence Hotline - 800-799-7233
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National Street Harassment Hotline - 855-897-5910
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ADA Information Line - 800-514-0301
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StrongHearts Native Helpline - 1-844-762-8483 - For Domestic and Sexual Violence
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RAINN - 1-800-656-4673 - Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
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IHS - 1-855-723-3447 - Hotline for Reporting Child Abuse and Sexual Abuse
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The Jason Foundation - Text "Jason" to 741741 - Youth Education and Awareness Hotline
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The Trevor Project Lifeline - 866-488-7386
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Native and Strong Lifeline - Call 988
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National Center for Missing & Exploited Children - 1-800-THE-LOST OR 1-800-843-5678
Additional Resources
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American Psychological Association - Article on "How do I become culturally competent
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Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Grant Program - Direct questions to TerrorismPrevention@hq.dhs.gov
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We're all EARS - Numbers can be found at Find a Warmline - simply choose a state or nationwide number
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